Reconciliation

Fast & Abstinence

Prayer Experiences

Holy Week

Easter Vigil & Sunday

Fr. Ray's Easter Letter

Parish Reconciliation Service
Monday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Church
Several visiting priests will be here to assist with individual Confessions

Note: The Sacrament of Reconciliation will not be celebrated during Holy Week

Abstinence:
Abstinence is a penitential practice consisting of refraining from the consumption of meat, and is observed by all Catholics who are 14 years of age and older. Ash Wednesday, Good Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence.

Fast:
In addition to abstinence, fasting is to be observed by all Catholics between the ages of 18-59 years.On days of fasting (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday) one full meal is allowed. Two smaller meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed. If a person is unable to observe the above regulations due to ill health or other serious reasons, they are urged to practice other forms of self-denial that are suitable to their condition.

Lenten Mission with Father Rusty:

March 22 through 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Church

Lent and Easter, 2010

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

For us who live in the Northern hemisphere, we can clearly see the dying and rising of nature this time of the year. Trees that seem barren and dead begin to spring forth new life. Out of the barren land, flowers burst forth to paint the landscape with beautiful color. What once seemed dead suddenly springs to life. Our spiritual life goes through this same dramatic change. St. Paul reminds us of this change in his letter to the Romans:

Are you unaware that we who are baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into his death? We were buried with him through baptism into death,
so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
we too might live in newness of life." Rm 6: 3-4

Lent is the time when we renew our Baptismal commitment to die and rise with Christ every day. Through the disciplines of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving, we let go of all that is not living and caring in our lives, so we may rise to a new way of life in Christ. That is what we promised at our baptism, and we recommit ourselves to that promise diring this joyful season of Lent. Being renewed in Spirit, we look forward to the great Feast of Easter and the victory that is ours to share in Jesus Christ.

Resurrected life is a changed life that can be lived on a daily basis. We witness resurrected life when we see people coming to faith and committing themselves to being a part of our community. We know Christ is Risen when we reassure some who is afraid; when we see someone go on after a setback; and when we feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and work for peace and justice in our world. We know we have experienced resurrected life when we let go of old grudges, hurts and prejudices, and live with compassion, understanding, and joy in our lives. By our words and deeds, we proclaim that Christ is Risen.

I invite you to join us in celebrating our new life in Christ by participating in the liturgies. United in prayer and worship, and living our baptismal call of service to others, we will truly proclaim:

Christ is Risen, Alleluia!

Blessings,

Rev. Raymond Zielezienski, Pastor